better for those that it operates around,” he added. He said the proof of concept for DME is being devel-


oped, with the charge led by Suburban Propane, which last fall acquired a 39-percent stake in producer Oberon Fuel, and the Propane Education and Research Council. “…[W]e are testing how does that blend operate in our engine? What is the emissions profile look like? What it looks like on the [dynamometer],” Mouw continued. “We think we know what the pros are from an emissions perspective and a CI perspective, but are there any cons there before you would want to production-ize it?”


Greater Accessibility Alternative energy isn’t the only innovation to hit the Type A market. A trend toward improved vehicle ma- neuverability and passenger access has emerged over the past several years. Collins’ Hiebert said there are currently about 80 of the


company’s new low-floor buses built on a Dodge Ram 2500 chassis now in use. First of all, the vehicles offer a more equitable transportation experience for students, no matter their ability. Students in wheelchairs access


the bus at the same entry point as their peers. Mesa Pub- lic Schools near Phoenix has 25 of the vehicles. Overall, the district operates a total fleet of 542. “The drivers of these buses like the ease of navigating


tight spaces of apartment complex parking lots and the quicker deployment of the ramp versus the traditional wheelchair lifts,” said William Frizell, the school district’s supervisor for vehicle maintenance. “Not only do the ramps deploy quicker but [they] also makes curbs and some other obstacles much easier to manage.” Mesa was also expected to take ownership of the new Micro Bird 7.3L V8 propane minibuses at the end of February, added Director of Transportation Jeanne Vandemark, which would add to the total of 92 mini- buses in the fleet. In addition to the Collins low floor, Frizell said Mesa also operates Micro Bird, older-model Thomas Built Buses bodies on Ford E-350 chassis, and the Chevy/GMC Duramax Diesel. Meanwhile, Micro Bird now offers a 36-passenger


configuration on its G5 platform. “It’s easier to drive than a big bus, and more maneuverable on city streets and town roads,” company reps explained. “It can also


New HEPA-6 Filtration Unit


Please contact us for details. Ph: 717-767-2775


50 School Transportation News • MARCH 2021


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